Category Archives: Commodities

The New Curse of Critical Minerals

An updated look at the classic resource curse.

Michael Hudson: Agricultural Imperialism in the EU

How the US has used control over the supply of key agricultural commodities to defend its hegemony.

Carbon Capture Will Extend Oil Production by 84 Years, Industry Study Finds

A Canadian oil field that should have shut down in 2016 can now keep producing oil until 2100.

Italy Pipes Up Against NATO Escalation as Court Ruling Could Cut Off Russian Gas Sooner Than Expected

Italy also faces major energy squeeze from Red Sea crisis. Will opposition to Project Ukraine solidify or will Rome go along as it usually does?

Nuclear Energy: The New Geopolitical Battleground

The Collective West scrambles to replace Russia as a source of nuclear fuel and services.

Will the American Oligarchy Accept Limits or Choose World War Three?

Putin has said Ukraine conflict is existential threat to Russia, but there are signs the Western capitalist class is dealing with their own existential crises. Will their greed get us all killed?

When It Comes to Fighting Russian Diamonds, the Jewish Diamond Trade and De Beers Are a Busted Flush

Efforts to crush the Russian diamond trade come when the industry is under duress. Why might the comparatively small Russian exports survive?

Dead Smoke Alarms, Moldy Rooms, Empty First Aid Kits: Farmworkers Endure Unsafe and Substandard Housing Across US

US agriculture workers are in desperate need of labor action as the employers (and regulators) do next to nothing to ensure safe working and living conditions.

Russia And Iran Finalize 20-Year Deal That Will Change The Middle East Forever

The agreement between Russia and Iran will replace the 10-year-deal signed in March 2001 and has been expanded not only in duration but also in scope and scale.

China Bans Exports of Rare Earth Tech as Critical Minerals Race Heats Up

China is raising the stakes in the US sanctions war by tightening rare earth screws.

Why Did Argentina Elect a Right-Wing Non-Establishment Extremist?

More on the truly wacky new president of Argentina, Javier Milei who nevertheless may get some of his bad ideas implemented.

Geopolitical Rivals Are Key Suppliers of West’s Green Energy Materials

Opposie! The West increasingly needs critical materials from countries against which we have escalated, particularly for green energy.

The Other China Shock: How Surging Chinese Imports Transformed Global Agriculture

hinese demand for food imports resulted in a significant increase in global cropland and higher profits for farmers exposed to this demand shock. It further highlights that this Chinese food shock served as the main impetus for global deforestation over the period.